Digestive Disorders

Crohn’s Disease

• Chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

• Most common in small/large intestine.

• Causes:– Possible hereditary

link to autoimmune disease (25%).

– Possible bacterial or viral infection.

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain.

• Intestinal bleeding.

• Diarrhea.

• Nausea & vomiting.

• Loss of appetite.

• Weight loss.

• Fever.

Diagnosis

• Barium x-ray.

• Colonoscopy.

WATCH THIS!!!

Treatment

• No cure.

• Medication to control inflammation or associated problems.

• Avoidance of “trigger foods”.

• Removal of blocked segments.

WATCH THIS!!!

Stomach (Gastric) Cancer

• Cancer of tissues lining stomach.

• Exact cause unknown

• Risk factors:– H. pylori infection.– Smoking.– Poor diet.

Symptoms

• Often non-specific– Nausea and vomiting.– Heartburn and indigestion.– Fatigue.– Stomach pain.– Feeling full after eating little.

Diagnosis

• Endoscopy & biopsy.

• CT scans.

• Barium Swallow X-ray.

Treatment

• Radiation therapy & chemotherapy– To shrink tumor.

• Gastrectomy– Partial or total

removal.

WATCH THIS!!!

Cirrhosis

• Scarring of the liver.• Leads to loss of liver

function.• Caused by chronic

damage to liver (e.g., hepatitis & alcoholism).

Symptoms

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite.

• Easy bruising & bleeding.

• Nausea & vomiting.

• Fluid retention in abdominal region.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests.

• Liver Biopsy.

• CT or MRI scan.

• Ultrasound.

Treatment

• Damage cannot be reversed.

• Avoidance of alcohol.

• Liver transplant.

WATCH THIS!!!